DuBusGuy19, 10 months ago

@ExcessivelyDiverting @bookstodon @histodons I’m trying to wrap my head around TikTok giving out book awards. It’s almost like “X” giving out awards for the most inspirational political speeches.

ExcessivelyDiverting, 10 months ago

@DuBusGuy19 @bookstodon @histodons Lots of indie bookstores (I've seen this) have signs “As Seen on #Booktok." It's beyond influential.

JeroenRombouts, 10 months ago

@DuBusGuy19 @ExcessivelyDiverting @bookstodon @histodons before booktok bookstores were closing everywhere and chains were in trouble. It's that influential with young people.

ExcessivelyDiverting, 10 months ago

@JeroenRombouts @DuBusGuy19 @bookstodon @histodons Bookstores (indie and corp) were on the bounce back before #BookTok but that isn't to say that #BookTok has been very helpful in the last few years.

JeroenRombouts, 10 months ago

@ExcessivelyDiverting @DuBusGuy19 @bookstodon @histodons I do think things like the pandemic helped a lot too. It's not only because of TikTok. But I do think it's a big factor for the younger demographic

DuBusGuy19, 10 months ago

@JeroenRombouts @ExcessivelyDiverting @bookstodon @histodons I can’t speak to what’s going on with indie book stores. But “BookTok” is not helping B&N. They’re closing stores, they restructured debt, they reported a larger loss for 2023 than 2022, and the stock’s going for $1.64. They’re pinning their hopes on “First Day Complete” book delivery for college courses. If “BookTok” was driving revenue increases, they would surely have noted it.

JeroenRombouts, 10 months ago

@DuBusGuy19 @ExcessivelyDiverting @bookstodon @histodons

Closing stores? This article from February is saying that they are opening more. https://www.dataart.com/blog/how-technology-can-contribute-to-the-revival-of-the-local-bookstore

No mention of TikTok there, though.

DuBusGuy19, 10 months ago

@JeroenRombouts @ExcessivelyDiverting @bookstodon @histodons Their earnings print for the MRQ, released yesterday (Friday), indicated they reduced their store count by 61 last year. Closing some stores and opening others are not mutually exclusive. It happens in retail all the time. Here’s the link to their statement. You can judge its financial health. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/barnes-noble-education-reports-fourth-110000101.html

JeroenRombouts, 10 months ago

@DuBusGuy19 @ExcessivelyDiverting @bookstodon (sorry for the late reply: procrastination combined with a holiday to Brittany) It does look like the glowing profiles in the media were a bit overblown indeed. Thanks for sharing.